the geometer, to which the attention of Congress was then called. The instrument supposedly applied an alleged discovery in magnetism by which, in addition to the direction of the north pole, latitude could be ascertained. Religious and civic pursuits Theology was a favorite pursuit of Samuel Abbot. Without being a religious disputant, he was well versed in the history of Christianity and its various sects. Very few among the clergy were better skilled in Biblical criticism, or better acquainted with the religious controversies of the day. Tolerant and kind to all Christian sects, he embraced the Unitarian as distinguished from the Trinitarian faith. In establishing and sustaining a Lyceum for Wilton, as well as in creating libraries for the town, for the parish, for the Sunday school, and for the Sabbath reading room, Samuel Abbot was a leading agent and liberal contributor. He represented the town in the state legislature for five years. He was a member of the school committee. He was a superintendent of the Sunday school and a lecturer before the Lyceum. He took a lively interest in the morals and education of the young and conferred benefits on the rising generation, the extent and magnitude of which cannot be calculated. If he did not create, he at least did much to sustain and perpetuate that standard of morals and taste for reading and education by which Wilton was distinguished in the men and scholars which proceeded from her loins. His life was guided by the dictates of an enlightened conscience. While he felt and exhibited strong and decided marks of disapprobation, like his father he was never known to be in a passion. He was a man of uncommon meekness and modesty. No ambition for professional or political distinction beset him. Retiring in his feelings, averse to all ostentation, he abandoned the law, a profession regarded as the common highway to distinction; instead, he took a course of life which best agreed with his peaceful disposition: the acquirement of knowledge. The consciousness that he was useful satisfied all his worldly aspirations. Death Samuel Abbot died at the age of 53. While superintending the manufacture of starch at Jaffrey, the interior of the building caught fire. He entered it for the purpose of rescuing a trunk containing his accounts and securities. His retreat was arrested by a sudden outbreak of smoke and flame. He fell suffocated and